Puppy Chow Is Better Than Prozac

To Bruce Goldstein-an edgy, twenty-something New Yorker trying to make his mark in advertising-just waking up in the morning was an ordeal. Underemployed and recently dumped, he was well into the downward spiral of bipolar disorder. Even with therapy, lithium, Paxil, Wellbutrin, and Prozac, he could not shake his rapid mood swings, his fear of dying, or the voice of Satan, who first visited him one sunny day in Central Park. Then came Ozzy, a black Labrador pup (named after metal's "Prince of Darkness") who leads Bruce toward recovery through complete, canine dependence. From the depths of his despair to a life remade, Bruce shows how learning to care for, train, and love the hilariously loyal Ozzy provided him with the structure and focus he needed to heal.

Meet Bruce Goldstein: unemployed and recently dumped, this twenty-something New Yorker had fallen into such a deep depression he needed to call his mother just to get out of bed in the morning. In the downward spiral of bipolar disorder, neither therapy nor medication could help him shake his rapid mood swings, his fear of dying, or the voice of Satan, who first visited him one sunny day in Central Park. Then comes Ozzy, an exuberantly life-affirming black Lab puppy who launches Bruce on a surprising, uproarious journey of complete canine interdependence. Ozzy helps Bruce heal through the most unexpected source: the love of a good dog.

Puppies -- nubile, tender, and pure -- have become endeared to U.S. society, and to some extent, the world. Puppies are the holy grail of animal companions to Americans. They are glorified above other animals and protected by numerous laws, yet they are systematically, lawfully, and illegally abused, tortured, and killed. A vast array of opinions, policies, protocols, rules, regulations, and laws govern treatment or mistreatment of puppies demonstrating that appreciation for puppies is neither ubiquitous, nor superseding. Puppies may be subjected to painful product testing in the U.S., but not in Europe, despite their glorified status above other animals. This book details the myriad of laws, policies, attitudes, misfortunes, and processes shaping puppies' lives in America. Specialized topics such as Bestiality, Child Grooming, Pornography, Film, Mythology, and Art are addressed to build an argument that overall, treatment of puppies in the U.S. reflects priorities, needs, values, and morals which are contextually based on human desires, capabilities, survival mechanisms, altruism, American family life, and the economy. The randomized yet selective treatment of puppies typifies American culture, and to some extent other cultures, at least in the American purview. The author analyzes physiological comparisons between humans and dogs to discover why Americans may be so interested in puppies. The foundations of this research are law, social and behavioral science, policies, history, politics, animal studies, animal welfare, criminal justice, sociology, anthropology, and current events.

Learn to communicate with your dog—using their language “Good reading for dog lovers and an immensely useful manual for dog owners.”—The Washington Post An Applied Animal Behaviorist and dog trainer with more than twenty years’ experience, Dr. Patricia McConnell reveals a revolutionary new perspective on our relationship with dogs—sharing insights on how “man’s best friend” might interpret our behavior, as well as essential advice on how to interact with our four-legged friends in ways that bring out the best in them. After all, humans and dogs are two entirely different species, each shaped by its individual evolutionary heritage. Quite simply, humans are primates and dogs are canids (as are wolves, coyotes, and foxes). Since we each speak a different native tongue, a lot gets lost in the translation. This marvelous guide demonstrates how even the slightest changes in our voices and in the ways we stand can help dogs understand what we want. Inside you will discover: • How you can get your dog to come when called by acting less like a primate and more like a dog • Why the advice to “get dominance” over your dog can cause problems • Why “rough and tumble primate play” can lead to trouble—and how to play with your dog in ways that are fun and keep him out of mischief • How dogs and humans share personality types—and why most dogs want to live with benevolent leaders rather than “alpha wanna-bes!” Fascinating, insightful, and compelling, The Other End of the Leash is a book that strives to help you connect with your dog in a completely new way—so as to enrich that most rewarding of relationships.

The 2007 pet food recalls followed a multitude of pets getting sick and dying from contaminated food; now pet owners must take charge of what they feed their dogs and cats. With The Ultimate Pet Food Guide, veteran dog trainer, behaviorist, and author Liz Palika focuses on nutritional needs and covers every type of feeding, including controversial raw diets, homemade cooked food, and commercial foods. Palika also addresses introducing new foods; what “human foods” pets shouldn't eat; free-feeding; responsibility for food safety; where ingredients come from; and red flags in ingredients. Included are over fifty veterinarian- and pet-nutritionist-approved recipes and diets tailored to special-needs pets, such as puppies/kittens and pregnant, older, overweight and/or more sedentary animals.

Committed trainers and owners can solve this problem!
Treating separation anxiety in dogs is not quick or easy—but it can be done. The successful ingredients are cooperation, commitment and time on the part of the dog trainer and the owners. In this important new book, author Malena DeMartini-Price shares her 5 Phase Treatment Protocol and related strategies to help dogs overcome the fear of being left alone and addresses the trauma it can inflict on both the dog and their owners. Trainer handouts, detailed step-by-step training tips and a sample initial interview questionnaire are included.

Learn about:
• The critical role that “suspending absences” plays in the early part of the treatment plan and how owners and trainers can make this more manageable.
• How dog trainers can make the treatment of separation anxiety in dogs a specialized business.
• The role that management techniques and medications can play to help support the recommended behavior modification strategies.
• How technology, including remote feeding devices and web cams, can be used to monitor a dog’s progress in overcoming his fear of being left alone.